From Abubakar Mus’ab Ibrahim ,Kano
Fauziyya D Suleiman is one of the few Kannywood female story writers who has written over 100 stories for film and she is also a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). Fauziyya is also the founder of a foundation that specialized in assisting orphans and the vulnerable. In this interview the writer talks about her foundation as well as her writing carrier.
Who is Fauziyya D Suleima?
I was born in Fagge in 1981 and I did my primary school in Fagge Festival Primary school; I proceeded to Government Girl’s Secondary School ‘Yar Gaya where I did my junior secondary school, I then joined Government Girl’s College Dala were I did my SSCE. I got married in 1999 and later proceeded with my quest for knowledge where I joined College of Health Sciences, School of Hygiene for assistance nutritionist diploma, I also did a certificate course on Hotel and catering Management in Kano state School of Management Studies and I have also attended series of courses on story writing.
I am currently working with Arewa24 as one of the station’s writers contributing in the stories of two of the station’s most popular TV series.
How did you get into writing?
Writing has been my passion for quite a long time, I am what you may be called book worm. I love reading books, therefore when I began working as a health worker my mind was with writing, and my writing carrier has begun even before I started working. Therefore, as I have said earlier I have written my first book when I was just 21 years old.
Writing has been in me right from my secondary school days and I wrote my first book in 2002 titled ‘Me nayi mata’ and from that book, I wrote over 30 published books before joining the Kannywood film making industry as a story writer. I have written over 100 stories that were made into films so far. I am also one of the writers of ‘Dadin Kowa and Kwana Casa’in’ TV series aired at Arewa24.
Some of my works include, ‘Kishin banza. Guduna ake yi, Rayuwar ‘Ya mace, Mece ce rayuwa, Burin raina, Karshen wahala, Labarin Zuciya, Matsalar mace, Mijin uwa, Me nayi mata’ among others.
Are your stories all fictional?
Yes to some extent but if you are to take a look into most of my writings you will find out that though fictional but they are addressing current issues. This is to say that, my stories are currently happening driven.
However, some of my stories are true-life stories that had happened to an individual or to group of people. It is apparent that, some people will come to you and tell you that they have a true story of either their personal lives or of someone they are closed to that will be good to either write a book on or a storyline for a movie. I got some storylines from such incidences.
Can you tell us how you got involved in charity work?
It all started in 2014 when a read an announcement seeking assistance for a 17-year-old suffering from a kidney problem. I figured out that the young man has a promising future and he was from the same neighborhood as I, I became so concerned and worried.
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Without knowing why I was so concerned I took to my social media page as a writer and posted the young man’s issue. I was so surprised to see how people reacted positively to my post, people show their willingness to assist the young man and they asked for an account number to deposit their contribution. I went to Abdullahi Wase General Hospital where the young man was on admission and collected his bank details.
That was how this young man was saved by well-meaning people who do not even know him. This singular act has made me believed that there are plenty of people with a good heart to assist others in need.
With the success recorded, people now began to seek for medical assistance through my social media page and to God be the glory they used to get the needed attention. Gradually we started having issues with people misappropriating the funds gathered in respect to their patient’s needs and we, was advised to formally form a foundation that will monitor and manage funds collected for the patient’s medical treatment.
That was how Creative Helping Needy Foundation was formed, we formerly registered it and we are conducting our activities through the foundation.
What would you say are your challenges as a writer?
Personally, I can’t say I have faced many challenges personally because I got married at the age of 19 and I can’t say I have faced many life challenges that I can possibly remember now.
However, challenges as a writer are so numerous, sometimes you will write a fictional book or a story for movies, and coincidentally it may tally with someone’s personal life; it would be like you are telling someone’s personal life story and that person may feel either bad or happy.
On such occasion, I usually receive accolades or condemnations, but I was not deterred, I tried to make them understand that either way it is a coincidence.
How would you want to be remembered?
I would want the world to remember me as that writer whose work inspired and transform people’s lives for the better as my priority in life is to put a smile on people’s faces through my writings.
I have dedicated my time, energy, and resources to see that I came up with stories that, will provide solutions to pressing social ills as well as assist the vulnerable, especially on health-related issues.
What is your memorable moment?
My memorable moment was when the foundation took up the case of one Murtala who was bedridden for 8 years. He suffered a spinal injury and he told us his wish was to be able to move even if it is on a wheelchair.
Through the efforts of well-meaning people including the wife of President A’isha Buhari about N10million was spent on him and as I speak with you Murtala now moves around in his wheelchair.
Whenever I thought of how the foundation was able to assist this poor boy in realizing his dream of moving around again, I feel glad that I have been part of someone’s happiness.
What is your advice to fellow women?
Women as custodians of societal norms and values should imbibe the habit of assisting others not only their family and friends but also extend such assistance to others as well. Women should understand that a brighter society depends on their selfless service to humanity.
